As with any good epic, herein lies the promise of larger-than-life experiences, heroics and twists & turns as the adventure unfolds. These bottle-conditioned ales are specifically designed to be aged until sometime after December 12th, 2012. Provided you can wait that long. At that time, enjoy them in a "vertical" tasting. Each one unique to it's year of release. Each with its own "twist & turn" in the plotline. Each one released one year, one month and one day from the previous year's edition. To remind you, the remaining dates are: 12.12.12

Poured into a large tulip glass a slightly hazed maber with sticky1/2 finger off white head,cinnamon and earthy chili's in the nose,light phenols poke thru as the beer warms a little.Belgian yeast flavors at the onset,phenolic and spiced to go along with light cinnamon flavors,again the chili flavors are more earthy lending a little warming on the way down.Not bad,Iam not a huge Belgian yeast fan but the subtle chili,and cinnamon flavors are nice. (451 characters)

A: A medium copper with fair amount of chill haze that fades as it warms and is totally expected with a older beer. The head is tan and made of fine bubbles with a decent retention span.

S: A medium aroma reminiscent of sun-dried chili peppers along with a low orange ester and a low malty complexity like that an Old Ale. There is a low alcohol aroma and a touch of spicy phenols. A bit of soy comes out as it warms up.

M: There is an initial orange-like fruitiness with some spice to start with the spice building a bit as you sip. The balance is somewhat sweet with a medium malt sweetness having a little caramel character against a low hops bitterness but the sweetness more countered by the spice and alcohol. The finish is medium-sweet and the aftertaste is spicy and a low fruitiness that reminds me of a Dubbel.

M: A medium bodied beer with a medium amount of carbonation. There is a linger light tingle from the spice but not detracting.

O: An unusual beer that I can appreciate for it's bold approach and balance. (1,028 characters)

Looks mahogany, with some redder tints. Smells pretty good. You can smell the cinnamon and a spicier undercurrent. There's a lighter yeast scent, as well. Full sharpness to start. The cinnamon and what tastes like nutmeg present themselves shortly after. The endgame is held by the hops, which throw bitterness in all directions, and the Anaheim pepper element, which twists the bitterness in an interesting direction. The final lingering element is spicy cinnamon, so the ale succeeds in that. Wouldn't want to drink this regularly, but it is a good limited release.

A - Clear brown, with ruby highlights. Big frothy light tan head, that stay around for awhile with moderate carbonation.

S - Spicy, the cinnamon can be picked out but the yeast seems to be adding more spicy aromas like clove.

T - Lots going on here, the malt is almost overwhelmed by cinnamon and cloves and I guess what might be the peppers but just comes across as a strange medicinal flavor. The medicinal flavor then turns into an astringent aftertaste made bitter by the hops.

M - Nicely attenuated, warming quality, with a bit of sparkle from the carbonation and alcohol.

O - This beer looks great, smells good, and feels good but where it counts most...taste...it just isn't very good. I have only had the last few Vertical Epic Ales but this is easily the worst. (774 characters)

A nice deep red/orange pour with great clarity and a half inch of bubbly white foam atop the brew. Looking good. Aromas start off with caramel, fruity tones and lots of yeast phenolic notes. Cinnamon and a touch of vegetal chili pepper, but it is rather mellow.

Sweet caramel mixing in with dark fruits. Big phenolic Belgian yeast with lots of clove, banana and spice. Cinnamon definitely makes it presence known along with a touch of chili pepper. Flows down with more sweetness and a slight hint of heat. Yeast lingers on after each sip.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied and a touch slick with good carbonation. Goes down pretty easy considering the ABV. Overall, it doesn't really all come together for me...the sweetness with the chili and forward yeast. Was hoping for a touch more heat / chili flavor as well. (811 characters)

A - Pours a deep amber with half a finger of light tan head. Head has decent retention before fading to a thin cap.

S - Cinnamon, banana and some candi sugar initially, followed by subtle green chili, a bit of booze and toasted malt.

T - Similar to smell, with quite a bit of clove and a more noticeable chili presence. Definitely not too spicy, but the peppers do add a subtle warmth. Interesting and pretty good overall. The peppers, cinnamon and clove are a bit of an odd combination, but certainly interesting.

M - Medium mouthfeel that is a bit sticky, but finishes dry and bitter.

O - Clearly not an everyday beer, but an interesting and mostly successful experiment. (677 characters)

Nearly a palate overload, thankfully I prepared for this beer and I guess I am a pro more or less so I can roll with the punches. Flavors come in waves, cinnamon and chili then the Belgo-yeast character and of course the generous handful of hops all surrounded by a well balanced malt backbone. The heat, its from the alcohol ... not the chili. Possibly the most enjoyable Vertical Epic from Stone I have had that was not cellared. (794 characters)

Pours medium murky auburn, under a dense darker tan head, that stays a while, before going to a film, collar and low lying sheeting and fine lace.

Cinnamon bounces out of the glass and upon the nostrils, with a hint of mild chili also making itself heard.

Bold and over the top flavorful and complex brew, more cinnamon, Belgian yeasty phenols glaring, chili present but remaining on the calm side. The expected Stone hop load unmistakable in the finish. Smooth on the tongue and coating the entire mouth. I enjoyed every sip especially as it warmed.

Definitely will be picking up more bottles, it will be interesting to see what some time in the bottle adds to the mix. (702 characters)

The beer pours a clear amber color with a large white head. The aroma has quite a bit of caramel and toffee, as well as a lot of green peppers and some assorted spices such as nutmeg.

The flavor is has a lot of cinnamon, peppers, toffee and Belgian yeast. All of the spices and peppers surprisingly work well together and make the beer enjoyable. There is also a touch of alcohol, but not as much as I expected.